Slava’s Snowshow

If you haven’t heard about this one, put on your beanie and grab yourself a front row seat, the forecast is snow!  Yes, literally snow. Ok, so not the icy fluffy stuff but you will feel like you are in the middle of a giant snowstorm with whirling winds and mayhem before the night is through. The title is going to give you a giant clue about what is to come, but not much else.

It starts tame enough, a lonely and sad figure, one clown dressed in baggy yellow (originally played by the famous clown Slava Polunin himself) and a rope. It is winter. Someone or something is pulling on his rope though, could it be a friend? Some companionship? Things are going funnier in the winter blizzard as the yellow figure seems to be joined by more and more green companions. 

You do end up getting lost in the clowning and silliness, captivated by the experience, but none of it happens by chance. Slava understands the clowning game and it is all cleverly and tightly choreographed with his troupe of clowns well trained in the art - not one giant shoe shuffle is out of place. And I do mean giant shoes! 

At times I had no idea what was happening as we moved between sketches but that seemed natural for this dreamlike blend of surrealism. It evolves into a tragicomedy, a blend of drama and comedy. A bit to think about if you choose to, or not. There is no dialogue, the show moves itself along with some old school clowning and music, billowing sails, bedlam, and laughter. The intricate clowning work by the cast and use of their bodies or facial expressions means there is no barrier of language. It doesn’t need dialogue, laughter is universal. A bed becomes a boat, a coat on a stand comes to life, giant telephones jingle and an invisible train departs. Hold onto your beanie, this one is a ride.

Give yourself permission to laugh and take the night off from adulting. Anything is possible. You will emerge covered in webs, wet with water, knee deep in snow, and left with a giant smile on your face. Part of you might wonder if you need to think about the tragedy of that lonely clown in winter. It is no wonder that people follow this show from town to town.

Slava’s Snowshow is recommended for ages over 8. I did see some much younger ones there enjoying themselves at the finale though. If you want to get amongst the action, stick to the first dozen rows. It is less immersive beyond this, a good spot for anyone with sensory needs. This show is immersive and at times loud. Whilst the State Theatre is a beautiful backdrop, it does not have booster seats for the young ones. 

Aimee’s review – when she stopped playing and making snow angels on the floor for long enough, she breathlessly said it was a 10. She delighted in finding “snowflakes” all over the city as we headed home. 

Nicole Smith 

Photographer: Veronique Vial